By Jenny Deam
For decades, the eating disorder lexicon had two main entries: anorexia and bulimia. But modern research reveals that these fall woefully short of encompassing the many facets of disordered eating. In the early '90s, the American Psychiatric Association introduced a new diagnostic category: eating disorders not otherwise specified (EDNOS). A catch-all label that includes dozens of subdiagnoses, EDNOS applies to patients who don't meet the exact criteria for anorexia or bulimia but still have very troubled relationships with food or distorted body images. Today, EDNOS diagnoses significantly outnumber anorexia and bulimia cases. "The atypical has become the typical," says Ovidio Bermudez, M.D
The Scary Rise In Eating Disorders
The new disorder: Orthorexia
What it is: A fixation with healthy or righteous eating
Orthorexics often eat only organic foods, eliminate entire food groups, or refuse to eat anything that isn't "pure" in quality, says clinical psychologist Sari Shepphird, Ph.D. Unlike anorexics, they don't necessarily think they're fat or strive to be thin; some are motivated by a fear of bad health, a fixation with complete control, or the desire to improve their own self-esteem. Ironically, severe orthorexia can lead to malnourishment.
The new disorder: Pregorexia
What it is: Extreme dieting and exercising while pregnant to avoid gaining the 25 to 35 pounds of weight doctors usually recommend
"There's more social pressure on women to look thin during and after pregnancy," says Shepphird. "But pregorexia comes with very serious health problems." Starving moms-to-be are at risk for depression, anemia, and hypertension, while their malnourished babies are often miscarried or born with birth defects.
The new disorder: Binge Eating
What it is: Compulsive overeating, often to deal with negative emotions or stress
Binge eaters consume large amounts of food very quickly, until they're uncomfortably full. Most sufferers eat in secret to hide their habits. Many feel powerless to stop eating and are disgusted with themselves afterward; but unlike with bulimia, they don't attempt to reverse a binge by vomiting or fasting. While not all patients are overweight, obesity, and its related health problems, are obviously a risk.
The new disorder: Anorexia Athletica
What it is: An addiction to exercise
Sufferers work out well beyond the requirements for good health, often to the point that their gym time interferes with their job or relationships. "Instead of throwing up, so-called compulsive exercisers purge calories by working out religiously," says Shepphird. "Often, if they don't keep up with their rigorous routine, they feel tremendous anxiety or guilt." They're also at risk for potentially fatal cardiac problems and depression.
Related video: More adult women battling eating disorders
The new disorder: Drunkorexia
What it is: Restricting food intake in order to reserve those calories for alcohol and binge drinking
A University of Missouri study found that almost 30 percent of female college students exhibit drunkorexic behavior, "saving" their calories for booze in order to avoid gaining weight or to get drunk faster. Bad idea: These women are upping their chances for alcohol poisoning, uninhibited sexual behavior, and long-term consequences like heart and liver diseases.
Always-complicated eating disorders can involve myriad symptoms, self-deprecating comments, wild mood swings, an obsession with cooking but not eating, but the biggest tip-off that your friend might have a problem is an extreme change. As in, your hamburger-loving bud suddenly turns vegan, or your otherwise social pal refuses to dine out. "If it seems as if food controls her life, or fitting into a certain pair of jeans can make or break her day, it might be time to get help," says eating disorder treatment specialist and psychotherapist Christel Parker.
You might be hesitant to butt in, but remember this: "Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric illness," says Parker. "Even if you're not 100 percent sure, approach her anyway." Start with a nonjudgmental general question such as "Are you stressed?" It's important to be supportive rather than aggressive.
If she doesn't open up, sit down with her privately and say, "You might not agree with me, but I have to say something because I care about you." There's no need to give advice (you're not a trained pro), but you can offer to make phone calls or leave her with a pamphlet from a place like the National Eating Disorders Association (nationaleatingdisorders.org).
More Links:
Do You Binge When You're Upset?